I'm at a club. I never thought I would find myself in such a place, but here I am. Blaring lights and heavy music assault my senses the moment we step inside. Thankfully, I have a vice grip on Luke's arm as he moves through the crowd with surprising ease. I'm honestly amazed. My friend walks in here as if he's used to the place. I could swear, if I didn't know any better, I would think Luke is keeping secrets from me. But honestly, I'm glad he casually agreed to come, because I bet Louis and Jayson weren't expecting us at all. Blake invited us both on such a whim, I'm afraid we might even be intruding.
Speaking of, I seem to have spotted the two of them in the distance. A second later, we arrive at where Jayson and Louis are loitering among the sea of people. It's not particularly easy, but somehow I manage to introduce Luke to the others. Hopefully, Louis and Jayson understood me. But seeing as they're shaking hands with him and ushering him towards the bar, I think I delivered the introduction just fine. Maybe a little too fine. They're dragging Luke further away. Maybe I should follow them.
"Relax. They're just getting him a drink," a voice whispers into my ear.
Blake's breath is hot on my skin, a shiver rolling down my spine as I turn to him. But before I can say anything, he grabs my wrist and drags me towards the exit. I'm met with the freezing air and shiver like a leaf. I really hate winter.
"What are we doing outside, Blake?" I stammer out.
Blake shrugs his cardigan off and pulls it over my shoulder. How nice. And warm. Not to mention it smells like his cologne. I would totally bury my face in this. Wait, what? No!
"Blake?" I call out again, my voice firm this time.
Did he want some fresh air? But we just got here.
After a tense moment, Blake finally speaks, "Look, I can bring you back home. I don't know what I was thinking, dragging you all the way here. And your friend too."
I blink, utterly dumbfounded. "Huh? Hold on. I never said I wanted to go home. And besides, I'm not ditching Luke."
"Well, it doesn't really look like you want to be here, Charlie."
"Excuse me?" I almost scoff. That came out a little harsher than I wanted to, so I take a deep breath. "Listen, Blake. Even if that's the case, which it is not, then that's my problem to deal with, not yours. Also, you didn't necessarily drag me into the club against my will. I simply accepted your invitation."
Blake takes a step closer, his fingers wrapping around my wrist once more. He almost looks conflicted and he sighs, "But you kept clinging onto Luke the moment we got in here."
This is what it's all about? I can't help but chuckle. "Yeah, because I don't want to be swept away by the crowd and lose you guys."
"Right…" Blake mutters, letting go of me. "Sorry."
I smile at his little apology and simply shrug it off. "It's fine. Let's just head back inside."
He nods. "Yeah, let's do that. But you'll tell me when you want to go home, right?"
"Of course."
As if right on cue, Luke steps out and comes our way. He grabs my arm, and from the corner of my eye, I see Blake tense up. What is going on with him tonight?
Luke clears his throat, turning his full attention to me. "Hey, I was searching for you. You suddenly disappeared!"
"We just wanted to get some fresh air." Why am I lying? To my best friend!
Blake pushes past us and heads back inside without so much as a glance. My stomach knots, and my feet are already on the move to follow him.
A firm hand slows me down and Luke speaks again. "Dude. I think your friend doesn't like me. He seems really grumpy."
"Nonsense," I huff. "Blake is probably just in a bad mood."
Luke snorts, his grip on me tightening. "Yeah? Well, he's been glaring and giving me the stink eye ever since we've left your apartment."
I stop in my tracks, turning to face Luke completely. "Blake is kind of prickly right now. He offered to take me home just now."
My friend's eyes narrow. "Why? He didn't want you here or what ?"
I shake my head. "He thought I was uncomfortable being here. But that's not the case at all. I don't even know what to do anymore."
Luke's expression shifts into one I can't place, but he seems less agitated. He even smirks.
"Oh…" he drawls. "I think I know what's going on!"
I inch closer. "What is it?"
But Luke doesn't give me a proper answer, instead he tells me to go ahead and have fun as he proceeds to nudge me in Blake's direction.